Various embodiments include methods for operating a high-pressure pump comprising: driving a piston arranged in a compression chamber with a motor shaft; during movement of the piston toward the top dead center, closing the inlet valve so the fluid is then delivered by the piston through an outlet valve; applying a coil current to an electromagnet used to close the inlet valve during and/or after overshooting the top dead center; detecting a start time at which the coil current, on account of starting of an opening movement of the inlet valve, fulfills a predetermined change criterion; labelling a dead center rotation position of the motor shaft at which the piston is at the top dead center based at least in part on the ascertained start time; and adjusting operation of the pump based on the identified dead center rotation position.

An automated fluid transfer system and method allows a person to pour fluid, such as used motor oil, into a collection pan which automatically pumps the fluid to a bulk storage tank, without secondary containment in the collection pan. The system utilizes an air powered pump, thereby eliminating the use of electricity which creates fire and explosion hazards. A float rises and falls in response to fluid in the pan, so as to automatically turn on and turn off the pump. An alternative manual mode is provided to allow fluid to be sucked by the pump from a container directly into the bulk storage tank, while bypassing the collection pan.

An automated fluid transfer system and method allows a person to pour fluid, such as used motor oil, into a collection pan which automatically pumps the fluid to a bulk storage tank, without secondary containment in the collection pan. The system utilizes an air powered pump, thereby eliminating the use of electricity which creates fire and explosion hazards. A float rises and falls in response to fluid in the pan, so as to automatically turn on and turn off the pump. An alternative manual mode is provided to allow fluid to be sucked by the pump from a container directly into the bulk storage tank, while bypassing the collection pan.

Various embodiments include methods for operating a high-pressure pump comprising: driving a piston arranged in a compression chamber with a motor shaft; during movement of the piston toward the top dead center, closing the inlet valve so the fluid is then delivered by the piston through an outlet valve; applying a coil current to an electromagnet used to close the inlet valve during and/or after overshooting the top dead center; detecting a start time at which the coil current, on account of starting of an opening movement of the inlet valve, fulfills a predetermined change criterion; labelling a dead center rotation position of the motor shaft at which the piston is at the top dead center based at least in part on the ascertained start time; and adjusting operation of the pump based on the identified dead center rotation position.

The invention relates to a dense phase powder pump and a method for operating a dense phase powder pump in a powder-conveying mode. In order, in a simple manner, to prevent or at least reduce powder accumulations and clogging with powder, in particular on the powder inlet side of the powder conveying chamber of the dense phase powder pump, and thus in the region of the powder inlet valves, according to the invention, during a predefined or specified time period in at least one output phase and preferably at the end time of the output phase of a powder cycle, at least one of the following conditions exists: i) the powder inlet valve of the dense phase powder pump is open; ii) the powder outlet valve of the dense phase powder pump is closed; and/or iii) the application of an overpressure to the powder conveying chamber of the dense phase powder pump is interrupted.

The present invention is an improved superimposed standing valve and related method of harvesting oil and gas using a conventional rod pump equipped with the improved superimposed standing valve. The present invention includes a valve cylindrical sleeve disposed between a top cylinder and a main standing valve such that the valve cylindrical sleeve can slide along the top cylinder a fixed valve stroke. A plurality of openings are sealed and unsealed by the movement of the valve cylindrical sleeve. The present invention isolates the pump from the head pressure of the oil and gas inside of the tubing thereby enabling the standing valve of the pump to remain open on both the upstroke and the downstroke. As a result, the improved superimposed standing valve increases pump efficiency and reduces the risk of gas locking. Its cylindrical sealing surfaces also prevent solid formation particles from gravitating downward into the pump chamber.

The invention relates to a dense phase powder pump and a method for operating a dense phase powder pump in a powder-conveying mode. In order, in a simple manner, to prevent or at least reduce powder accumulations and clogging with powder, in particular on the powder inlet side of the powder conveying chamber of the dense phase powder pump, and thus in the region of the powder inlet valves, according to the invention, during a predefined or specified time period in at least one output phase and preferably at the end time of the output phase of a powder cycle, at least one of the following conditions exists: i) the powder inlet valve of the dense phase powder pump is open; ii) the powder outlet valve of the dense phase powder pump is closed; and/or iii) the application of an overpressure to the powder conveying chamber of the dense phase powder pump is interrupted.

A controller of a suction valve control system may receive an initiation indication indicating an initiation of a prime mover for a fluid pump. The fluid pump may have a plurality of suction valves, and a plurality of valve control components may be configured to control actuation of the plurality of suction valves. The controller may cause, responsive to the initiation of the prime mover, the plurality of valve control components to maintain the plurality of suction valves in open positions during one or more discharge cycles of the fluid pump.

A method for the autonomous control of a surface unit of an oil well or gas well down-hole rod pump to provide for a reduction of gas interference and an increase in production, the method providing for autonomous adjustment of one or more pump operation characteristics, including one or more of dwell time, polished rod travel, compression ratio, and pump cycle rate, and the method including autonomous determination of a weight transfer position, autonomous determination of a rate of weight transfer, determination of a stretch factor of the polished rod, and autonomous adjustment of one or more of the pump operation characteristics for successive pump cycles of the down-hole pump installation based upon the weight transfer position, the rate of weight transfer, and the stretch factor.